ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE ADGM Proposes Changes to Transfer Scheme RulesThe Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market has issued Consultation Paper No. 2 of 2026, proposing changes to the rules governing transfers of certain financial services businesses under Part 7 of the Financial Services and Markets Regulations 2015.

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE ADGM Activates Broker Classification Framework to Strengthen the Real Estate MarketThe Registration Authority (“RA”) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) has activated its Broker Classification Framework, aimed at enhancing professionalism, accountability and service standards within ADGM’s real estate sector. The framework recognises high-performing real estate brokers and

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE ADGM Registration Authority Publishes Amendments to Commercial LegislationThe Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) Registration Authority (“RA”) has published amendments to ADGM’s commercial legislation aimed at strengthening transparency, enhancing regulatory oversight, and supporting compliance with international anti-money laundering (“AML”) and counter-terrorist financing (“CTF”) standards. The amendments introduce targeted

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL INSIGHT Employment Disputes and Arbitration in the ADGM: Key Takeaways from the Modus Operations DecisionIn Mathonnet v Modus Operations LLC and Ayotte v Modus Operations LLC [2025] ADGMCFI 0005, the ADGM Court of First Instance clarified that employment claims can be referred to arbitration where the employment contract

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Temporary Suspension of Annual Rent Increases in the Emirate of Abu DhabiAs part of the Abu Dhabi Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the stability of the Abu Dhabi real estate market, especially in the current circumstances, and to provide a clearer and more reliable ecosystem for residents

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Force Majeure and its Impact on Contractual Liability and Exemption from Compensation in UAE LawForce Majeure and Its Effect on Contractual Liability and the Extinguishment of Compensation under UAE Law   Force majeure is considered one of the most significant legal principles addressing situations where an exceptional

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Federal Decree-Law No. (20) of 2025 Amending Some Provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. (32) of 2021 on Commercial CompaniesAs part of the UAE’s keenness to develop the legislative framework regulating the corporate sector and enhance the business environment in line with international best practices, Federal Decree Law

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Renewal of Residential & Commercial Leases in ADGM (Real Property Regulations 2024)Purpose: This legal update is intended to educate tenants and landlords  about  key  considerations,  rights,  and responsibilities related to termination and renewal of lease contracts under the ADGM Real Property Regulations 2024.   1.  Short-Term Residential

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Digital Sales & Transfer Framework, End‑to‑End Electronic Transactions (ADGM)What’s New: ADGM has introduced a fully digital property selling and gifting process, operated through the AccessRP platform. This comprises one of the most significant advancements in the region’s real estate legal framework.   Major Features: • “Virtual Sell

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL INSIGHT Federal Decree-Law No. (26) of 2025 On the digital safety of the childFederal Decree-Law No. (26) of 2025 on Children’s Digital Safety was issued, within the framework of the UAE’s legislative direction towards enhancing the protection of children’s rights in the digital space, and confronting the increasing

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE The New Amendment to the Crimesand Penal Code: Federal Decree LawNo. (13) of 2025Federal Decree-Law No. (13) of 2025 is the new amendment that makes substantial changes to some provisions of the Crimes and Penal Code promulgated by Federal Decree-Law No. (31) of 2021. This amendment comes

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Federal Decree Law No. (6) of 2025 concerning the Central Bank and the regulation of financial institutions, activities and insuranceFederal Decree Law No. (6) of 2025 comes within the framework of the UAE’s efforts to enhance financial stability, develop the regulatory system for the financial and insurance

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE The Regulations and Conditions for Holding the General Assembly of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) Through Modern Technology MeansThe Ministry of Economy issued Ministerial Decision No. (23) of 2024 concerning the regulations and conditions for holding the General Assembly of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) through modern technology means.

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Cabinet Resolution No. (97) of 2025 Concerning the Reorganization of the UAE Gender Balance Council💡In line with the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to upholding the principles of social justice, strengthening its leading role in the field of women’s empowerment, and achieving gender balance, and in accordance with

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Federal Law No. (10) of 2023 Concerning Mental Health in the United Arab EmiratesThis Law is issued to replace Federal Law No. (28) of 1981 Concerning the Detention and Treatment of Mentally Ill Patients, establishing a modern and advanced framework to protect psychiatric patients and to ensure

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE The Fictitious Nature of One of the Partners Does Not Mean The Invalidity of the CompanyThe General Authority of the Court of Cassation in the Emirate of Dubai recently approved a new legal principle to determine whether the fictitious nature of a partner in a limited liability

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Legal Update on the Law of the Establishment of Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure CentreWithin the framework of the Abu Dhabi Government’s drive to enhance the effectiveness of the management of capital projects and infrastructure, and to unify its regulatory references, Law No. (3) of 2025 was

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Sanctions and Procedural Requirements – ADGM Employment Regulations 2024Part 12 of the ADGM Employment Regulations 2024 outlines the Registrar’s enforcement powers and the procedural safeguards that apply when an employer is suspected of breaching employment regulations. Key components include:   1.Registrar’s Enforcement Powers: If an employer contravenes

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Protection of Wages – ADGM Employment Regulations 2024The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has laid out key standards in Part 3 of the Employment Regulations 2024 to ensure employees’ wages are protected, paid fairly and on time, and free from unlawful deductions. These provisions create a strong

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Cabinet Resolution No. (59) of 2025 Concerning the Guidelines for Disbursing Social Support to the UnemployedAs part of efforts to enhance the social protection framework and ensure a dignified standard of living for citizens in the United Arab Emirates, the Cabinet has issued a resolution regulating the

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Decision of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency to Issue the Regulatory Framework on Environmental Emergency Preparedness and Response in the Emirate of Abu DhabiIn line with the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s efforts to strengthen environmental protection and ensure the preparedness of

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Cabinet Resolution No. (58) of 2025 Regarding the Inflation AllowanceIn light of recent economic developments and in line with the United Arab Emirates Government’s commitment to supporting citizens and alleviating the impact of inflation and rising living costs, the UAE Cabinet has issued Cabinet Resolution No. (58)

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Termination of Employment Contract – ADGM Employment Regulations 2024Part 11 of the ADGM Employment Regulations 2024 defines the rights and obligations of both employers and employees concerning the termination of employment. It encompasses provisions on notice periods, termination for cause, end-of-service gratuity, and repatriation entitlements, aiming to

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL INSIGHT Request for ReinstatementArticle 190 of the UAE Civil Procedures Law governs the exceptional cases in which a request for reinstatement of a final judgment or decision may be filed. It also outlines the conditions and procedures for submitting such a request.   Reinstatement is a request submitted

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL INSIGHT Motion for ReconsiderationClauses 171 to 174 of the UAE Civil Procedures Law regulate the motion for reconsideration, outlining the grounds on which it may be filed, the applicable procedures, and the time frame for its submission. MOTION FOR RECONSIDRATIONIt is a request submitted to the court to review

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL INSIGHT Enforcement Obstacles and Substantive DisputesArticles 239, 240, and 241 of the UAE Civil Procedures Law regulate enforcement disputes, setting out their rules, procedures, and conditions, in addition to the legal methods for objecting to them.   Judicial Enforcement is the process of turning judicial rulings into practical

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Working Time and Leaves – ADGM Employment Regulations 2024  The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has outlined key provisions under Part 4 of the Employment Regulations 2024, addressing working time, leave entitlements, and related obligations. The following are the key provisions: Working Hours and Rest Periods:1. Maximum Weekly

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE ADGM Employment Regulations 2024  The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Registration Authority has published the Employment Regulations 2024, which were enforced on 1 April 2025.   These new regulations reflect global shifts in workplace practices and aim to provide both clarity and flexibility for employers and employees

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL INSIGHT Divorce and Khul’ Two Paths to Separation:  What’s the Difference? “Divorce and khul’ are two ways to end a marriage, but they differ in process and conditions. Under Islamic law, a woman can request khul’ if she is unable to continue the marriage, usually offering financial compensation.

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Technical Regulation for Tobacco-Free Nicotine Pouches  The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates has issued the UAE Standard Specification UAE.S 5061:2025 for tobacco-free nicotine pouches. This specification pertains to a product designed for oral use to deliver nicotine without the presence of

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Administrative Decision No. (47) of 2024 Regarding the Licensing of Establishments Licensed in Another EmirateThe Administrative Decision No. (47) of 2024 regulates the licensing of branches of economic establishments that are licensed in another Emirate or in a free zone of another Emirate, and clarifies the conditions

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Future Entrepreneurs Permit  The Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority (ADRA), in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood (SCMC), has launched the Future Entrepreneurs Permit. This initiative is designed to empower children aged 4 to 18 with entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy, and innovation tools,

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Circular No. (3) dated February 6, 2025, for Commercial Establishment Owners  The Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority’s (ADRA) Circular No. (3) on February 6, 2025, mandating the use of Arabic as the primary language for all economic activities that directly interact with the public in the

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL INSIGHT ADGM Courts Practice (Direction 11)  Procedural Framework For AppealThe ADGM’s Practice Direction 11 (effective 30 November 2023) provides a streamlined procedural framework for appeals in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts, covering both the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal. Below is a

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL INSIGHT Types of Claims in ADGM Courts: Overview of Rules, Procedures, and Key Features  For First Instance Courts The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts are internationally recognized for their efficient and transparent approach to handling disputes. As the world’s first fully digital courts, they embrace technology and

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE ADGM’s Leasing Regulations in Real Estate – Bolstering Regulatory Excellence  The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has introduced major updates to its Real Property Regulations, unveiled new off-plan development regulations, and launched a unified digital platform, AccessRP.   These advancements aim to enhance clarity, compliance, and fairness

ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE Federal Decree Law No. (28) of 2024 Amending Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Concerning Jurisdiction of Ministries and Powers of Ministries – The provision of the decree concerning the education sector in the stateOn October 1, 2024, Federal Decree-Law No. 28 of 2024 was issued, amending